Sustainability is a concept sweeping college campuses. This theme comes after diversity became a well accepted practice first implemented during the 1990s. The excitement for sustainability has affected campus areas such as offices, dorms, faculty lounges, and dining halls. Today, the term sustainability not only covers issues involving the environment and clean water matters but also social justice. The movement is geared toward changing political, economic, and social structures. The ideology of sustainability is to encourage all those who are a part of campus life to view the world differently. This encouraged worldview takes place in the form of classes and full degree programs. For example, Cornell University teaches a course in “The Ethics of Eating”.

The idea of sustainability often means changing small habits for the greater good. Some things that students are encouraged to do to make these changes may include taking shorter showers or refraining from eating meat at least one day per week. St. John’s University in Minnesota push sustainability by placing emphasis on economy, environment, and equity when instructing students. This particular school also aims to become carbon-neutral in the next twenty years by making a few adjustments in daily living. By spending money on alternative energy and changing energy sources, this goal can be reached. These practices are incorporated in student’s academic experiences by presenting the idea with exercises in freshman orientation and then having the seniors take a sustainability literacy assessment.

Many students are attracted to the idea of sustainability on their college campuses because it provides them a sense of meaning and purpose. It gives students a chance to exercise moralistic behavior that has the power to restore and restructure the Earth. The element of community is also a desirable aspect of participating in sustainability efforts. A debatable thought related to sustainability may include its close relation to religious practices. Some refer to the practice as the Church of Sustainability which hails its themes from Judeo-Christianity.

To learn more about sustainability on college campuses visit the Star Tribune here.

Once you’ve made the decision to shift to a plant based diet (congratulations!), don’t let the pressure of that decision feel like a weight on your psyche. Everyone makes the shift at their own pace, and the speed at which you switch over does not matter as much as you think it does. If you are like most people, you’re not going to go from eating steak one day to only greens the next. The following are some tips to making a gradual shift; you don’t have to quit meat cold-turkey (pun intended).

Slowly Cutting Out Meat:

Start with meals you love – The easiest way to make the transition will be to find the foods that you love, and adapt them into meat-free versions. If you have hankerings for pastas, opt for meat-free sauces instead of the sausage and chicken heavy toppings. Chinese takeout can still be delicious with all veggies instead of beef and pork.

Introduce Meat Substitutes – Along those same lines, you can start to bring meat substitutes to the table. (They’re out there and they are delicious!) If you want to have a burger, substitute portabella mushroom caps for meat patties. If you’re a consistency-eater and textures are important to you, invest in texturized vegetable protein for the feeling of meat. Soy substitutes (aka tofu) also come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, so getting rid of meat won’t be too difficult.

Then, Say Goodbye To Dairy

Milk & Eggs – Straying away from animal milk is not incredibly hard. Soy and almond milk taste slightly different than the standard cow milk, but the adjustment period shouldn’t be that long. Silken tofu is a great substitute for breakfast-style eggs (use turmeric for that familiar yellow color!). If your baking recipe calls for eggs, chia or flax seeds are an excellent alternative.

Everyone misses cheese – Time and time again, people switching to a plant based diet say eliminating cheese is hands down the most difficult part of the transition. Cheese alternatives are getting better, but it’s probably easier to think about the deliciousness that you can eat instead of the cheese flavors that you’re giving up.

Get Adventurous:

Many other cultures have cuisines that are almost solely plant based. Go find them and get inspired! Many regions of India are vegetarian, and there are a plethora of veggie curries and dishes that you can incorporate into your repertoire. Moroccan style whole couscous and South American quinoa are also great a grains to be aware of in your new plant-centric life.

Most importantly, have a fantastic time with your diet transition! You’re making a great change for your body, and you’ll start feeling a noticeable difference in your body within a few weeks. Happy eating!

For more information on switching to a plant based diet, refer to these two sources: one & two

I realize I have posted quite a few recipes in my short time blogging featuring kale. I didn’t realize I love it so much, but I guess its so versatile that this veggie is like a gift that just keeps on giving!

A few nights ago t I wanted to make a pasta but do something fun with it so I decided to make kale pesto for the sauce. It came out so delicious! Instead of pine nuts I used cashews which totally worked well to make the sauce creamy, and the addition of lemon really adds a nice summery flavor. This is super quick to whip up and I bet it would be great to store. Next time I might make more so I can do that.

We paired our pesto with penne and added some slightly cooked grape tomatoes and a little bit of mozzarella cheese on top. This is on…